Indy Dancer Drills Sharply at Belmont

(from NYRA notes)Wertheimer Farm's Indy Dancer, who is scheduled to face off with current Kentucky Derby favorite Empire Maker in Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I), worked five furlongs over Belmont Park's main track in :59 2/5 handily.

Equipped in blinkers, Indy Dancer worked in company with Little Bonnet, a 3-year-old filly. Exercise rider David Jego was aboard Indy Dancer.

"He always prefers someone to go with. It gives him something to aim at," said assistant trainer Seth Benzel after overseeing the move. "The rider said he was on the bridle. I loved the way he galloped out. It was exactly what we were looking for."

Indy Dancer, a deep closer, is scheduled to race with blinkers for the first time in Saturday's Wood. His connections are hoping they will give him a little more early speed. Jockey John Velazquez will have the mount for trainer Todd Pletcher, who is at Keeneland today.